In their annual 'Tackling Childhood Cancer' clash, the Bombers will continue their important fight against childhood cancer this Friday night at Marvel Stadium.
In partnership with the club’s charity partner Challenge and supported by Yakult, the Bombers will raise funds and awareness to support children and their families living with cancer.
Challenge is a not-for-profit organisation that provides daily support for children and families living with cancer or a life-threatening blood disorder from diagnosis through treatment and beyond.
Throughout the year, players contribute many hours to ‘giving back’. They help lighten a long hospital stay for many of the Challenge families by visiting the ward and spending time with the families.
Ahead of the seventh annual game, Essendon and Challenge will focus on ‘Giving Cancer the Boot’. In recognition of this, Bombers players were today presented with hand-painted boots created by the Challenge kids, which will then be auctioned off following the game.
22 Challenge kids and their families visited the NEC Hangar today to have a memorable experience at the team’s Captain’s run, watching training and meeting the team ahead of running out alongside the Bombers players on Friday night.
Bombers players will proudly wear the Challenge logo on their guernsey on Friday and the traditional yellow armband inspired by former premiership player and cancer survivor Adam Ramanauskas.
With proceeds going to Challenge, the signed and match-worn guernseys and the painted boots will be auctioned off to support Challenge and kids with cancer.
Click here to purchase your guernsey.
The club would also like to acknowledge its longest-serving partner Yakult and their ongoing support of Challenge.
In 2020 and 2021, Yakult contributed $10,000 each year to Challenge, while over the past two years they’ve donated a car for families to utilise, and have upped their generosity again by gifting two cars this year.
Essendon Chief Commercial Officer Nick Ryan said the club was proud to partner with Challenge and Yakult to support children with cancer.
“As a club, we are really proud of the positive impact we can have on kids and their families who are going through a difficult time. Our players and staff get a real buzz seeing the joy and happiness when the children come to the club or our players visit them in hospital or at their homes,” Ryan said.
“We are united with Challenge and Yakult to tackle childhood cancer and improve the lives of children and their families.”
Challenge CEO David Rogers said the Challenge game provides great awareness to childhood cancer.
“This is a unique opportunity for our kids and their families to enjoy a once-in-a-lifetime experience as well as raising vital funds and awareness,” Rogers said.
